- A new scientific study shows stress links to drinking.
- Stress acts on a brain area that controls habits.
- This brain area helps people change their actions.
- Special brain cells help the brain stay flexible.
- A stress chemical makes these cells more active.
- Alcohol makes the cells slower and less active.
- When the cells are weak, habits become harder to change.
- Scientists say this knowledge could help new treatments.
- The study explains why stress can cause relapse to drinking.
Difficult words
- stress — feeling of pressure or worry
- habit — action you do often without thinkinghabits
- flexible — able to change or move easily
- chemical — substance that has a specific effect
- relapse — return to a previous bad behavior
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you sometimes feel stress?
- Do you have a habit that is hard to change?
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